Bribie Island
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Bribie Island is a sand island in the northern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Located as one of the northern boundaries of Moreton Bay, Bribie Island is a large sand island separated from the mainland by the Pumicestone Passage, named by Captain James Cook, who noted small floating pieces of pumicestone. Examples of pumicestone, from ancient volcanic cones on the mainland north of the island are still frequently washed up on beaches on the passage.
Bribie Island is the only island connected to the mainland Queensland by a bridge. The bridge, over Pumicestone Passage, was completed in 1963. Bribie has a 'calm side' or 'passage side' with safe family beaches and calm water. The 'surf side' of the island is about 5 km away and boasts long sandy beaches and dunes, with a moderate surf. Most of the island is uninhabited, consisting of National Park and forestry plantations, but the southern end of the island has been intensively urbanised as part of the Caboolture Shire.
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[edit] Gallery
 Bridge from the mainland, opened in 1963 |
 The 'passage side' at high tide, note the level of the high tide in the photo (above) taken in the early 1980's |
 Controversial high rise on the 'surf side', completed 2006 |
 The recently renovated Blue Pacific Hotel, at the 'surf side', Woorim |
 View from the 'surf side' across to Moreton Island |
 Erosion problems with high tides at Woorim Beach, 'surf side' |
 Bribie Island Library, a branch of Caboolture Shire's library network |
 Bongaree Jetty, on the 'passage side', recently rebuilt |
 Brennan Park, Bongaree |
 Bribie Passage near sunset |
[edit] Transport
The island is well known for its lack of traffic lights. However, there are a high number of roundabouts contained in its small inhabited area.
Bribie Island Coaches operates a bus service around the Island as well as a route which runs to Caboolture and sometimes even to Morayfield. The service to Caboolture is timed to connect with trains heading south.
In 2005 a set of traffic lights was installed where Pebble Beach exits onto Caboolture-Bribie Island Road. Late in 2006 another set were installed in Ningi. These are the only sets of lights between Bribie Island and Brisbane Airport.
[edit] Suburbs
Crossing to the island from the mainland via the bridge, opened in 1963, the first suburb to be encountered is Bellara. The other three major suburbs are Woorim (about 5 km away on the island's 'surf side'), Bongaree at the southern end of the Island, on the 'calm side' or 'passage side' and Banksia Beach at the northern end of the populated area, also on the 'passage side'.
[edit] Park Status
Bribie Island National Park covers 55.8 km² of the Island. There is a common misconception that the National Park covers most of the non-inhabited area, but in fact most of the centre of the island consists of conifer plantations closed to public access. Formerly leased to CSR Timber, the Queensland Government is currently re-planting around 25 km² of this area through its DPI Forestry arm. Much of the rest has been developed for housing. Buckleys Hole, at the southern tip of the island, was declared an Environmental Park in 1992. More than 250 species of birds live in or visit the area.
[edit] Inhabitants
Bribie Island the home of noted author and business man Robert Law. The artist Ian Fairweather also lived on Bribie Island for many years in great poverty.
There are many types of wildlife present on the island. Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus, various snake species, Green Tree Frogs and Dingos often can be seen venturing from the National Park into the surrounding suburbs.
[edit] Retail and Entertainment Facilities
Bribie Island has a recently expanded shopping centre at Bellara containing a Woolworths Supermarket and a Target Store, as well as a number of Nationally known companies such as Tandy Electronics, Rockmans and Gloria Jean's Coffees. In addition the island has two large IGA supermarkets located at Bongaree and Banksia Beach. Traditional "strip" development of shopping facilities around the island provides a comprehensive array of retail businesses such as hardware stores, medical centres, newsagents, chemists and food outlets.
There are two large, modern Hotels - The Bribie Island Hotel at Bellara and the Blue Pacific Hotel on the 'surf side' of the Island at Woorim. Bribie Island residents often prefer to visit local clubs such as the large and award winning Bribie Island Citizens and RSL Club, the two bowls clubs at Bongaree, the Surf Life Saving Club at Woorim on the 'surf side', and the small Solander Lakes Bowls Club at Banksia Beach. There is a well established golf club at Woorim, with a second golf course recently completed at Banksia Beach, with a club house under construction.
A small but popular twin cinema was established in 2001 on McMahon Street.
[edit] Schools
There are two primary schools: Bribie Island State School at Bellara, and Banksia Beach State School. Prior to the opening of the Bribie Island State High school in 1989 secondary students were transported to Caboolture. The current enrollment at the high school (2006) is 954 students.
[edit] Demographic
Population: 14864 (2001) On Census day, 7 August 2001, 11 (0.3%) people travelled to work by train only, 13 (0.3%) people took the bus only and 16 (0.4%) people took both the train and bus. There were 2549 (66.9%) people who travelled to work by car, either as the driver or as a passenger and 170 (4.5%) people either rode a bike or walked to work. It has been said that Bribie Island has the highest percentage of elderly residents in all of Australia.
[edit] Surrounding Area
The northern tip of the island is close to Caloundra while the southern end is in the proximity of Deception Bay
The northern end is part of Caloundra City Council and is undeveloped. The southern end is part of Caboolture Council and is mostly developed. The bridge is at this end.
Heading from the Island towards Caboolture one passes by Pebble Beach on the left shortly after departing the Island. One then passes through Ningi which is soon to be by-passed by another road connecting Bribie and Caboolture. Ningi contains many shops which hope this by-pass will reduce passing traffic thus making Ningi a safer area for children so that the community might grow and increase their business. Opposite the Shell service station there is a strawberry farm where tourists may often be seen working part-time. This farm also grows turf when strawberries are not in season.
[edit] Location Shooting
In 2004, a reality television series called The Hot House was filmed on Bribie Island. It aired on Network Ten. The show entailed 14 couples building a house together knowing that only one couple would win the house and a number of prizes, including a boat, which came with it. On the final night of filming, locals were given free tickets to enter the area which had been fenced off for filming. A crowd came to support each of the couples. The couple which finally won is still living in their house as a family.[citation needed]
A vast amount of the footage for the movie The Great Raid was filmed on Bribie Island.
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